That seems like a much more elegant solution than what I was coming up with!
I'm a little unclear on your variables/section terminology. And I know my terminology was a bit messy too, so I went and looked at the place I get my grids from. They use the terminology "number of categories" and "category size".
I tried to come up with a formula for, like, adding number of categories + category size together but it didn't really work out since number of categories has so much more of an effect on the amount of work than category size. So probably the best way to do it would be to have a minimum category size (3 or 4, I'm thinking) and iterate solely on number of categories. (Which I guess that's probably what you were saying, just calling them variables.)
So something like: "A solvable puzzle [with grid provided (if you want to require that)] with [3 or 4] categories is worth 2k. Each additional category adds 1k up to a maximum of 5k. Category size must be at least [3 or 4] (or 'Each category must contain at least [3 or 4] entries/characters/items', or whatever)."
Edit: My inclination would be to have number of categories = minimum 3 & category size = minimum 4. I think having them both be 3 would be a bit low. Having both be 4 feels a tad high to me but I'm fine with it.
no subject
I'm a little unclear on your variables/section terminology. And I know my terminology was a bit messy too, so I went and looked at the place I get my grids from. They use the terminology "number of categories" and "category size".
I tried to come up with a formula for, like, adding number of categories + category size together but it didn't really work out since number of categories has so much more of an effect on the amount of work than category size. So probably the best way to do it would be to have a minimum category size (3 or 4, I'm thinking) and iterate solely on number of categories. (Which I guess that's probably what you were saying, just calling them variables.)
So something like: "A solvable puzzle [with grid provided (if you want to require that)] with [3 or 4] categories is worth 2k. Each additional category adds 1k up to a maximum of 5k. Category size must be at least [3 or 4] (or 'Each category must contain at least [3 or 4] entries/characters/items', or whatever)."
Edit: My inclination would be to have number of categories = minimum 3 & category size = minimum 4. I think having them both be 3 would be a bit low. Having both be 4 feels a tad high to me but I'm fine with it.